Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1887-10-13

Il don't tAink your sex need have
any fears from you said Walter
gIancing with brothssly pride ut the
artless face and pretty figure. 'Bnl
look your ?rettiest for tonight; an
going to bring to you Max Wilbur,
my dear old Eaton cham. and l'wani
you to set your cap for him.
Much obliged, but never set my
cap. leave that to the Annie Laurie
class. If an ever so unfortunate a
to get married, it will not Be by pop
ping the question, either direstiy' oil
indirectly
Mrs. Orr's parlors were crowded
with guests, bat Mabel Lee seemed
scarcely conscious of their presence
One alone claimed her attention. and
though she tried to seem issiHsrsnt,
Walter, watching at distance. was
pleased to see that Max Wilbur had
made an impression.
That was'the beginning of an &C.
quaintance which. aided by Walters
genuine love for his sister and bis
friend, grew rapidly into a warm
friendship.
Three weeks from the date of her
first letter to Annie Laurie, Mabel
had tired of the correspondence.
Beside, she dreaded least Max should
find it out. He seemed so high mind
ed, she feared he could never stoop to
enjoy practical joke. She had writ
ten about half dozen of the silly
missives in one of which she had made
a formal offer of marriage.
I am going to write just one more,
she said to Walter, and that will be
to end this nonsense. 1t has not af.
forded me half the fun l expected
The sugar is at the bottom, laugh
ed Walter. But think myself that
it is time we were testing it, She has
appointed a place to meet you, has
she not?'
Yes. Room number twenty,
Bracken House. But I.shalI decline
to meet her. %
Not bit of it. Disguise yoNtaslf
as an old lady. l will 90 = 80
and remain outside the room dols
ready for any emergency. No oas
will ever know it. =
After much persuasion Mabel, re-
luctantly yielded. and half ar hour
later Walter bore triumphantly to the
post office a letter in which Robin
kAdair' stated that he would call upon
annie Lanrie" at the appointed place,
on the following evening at eight
o'clock.
Robin Adair certainly cut a queer
figure when ready for the interview
A figure that would have scandalized
his mythical namesake. An immense
poke bonnet, pair of green goggl 5,
and a broad white rutiie representing
a cap border, disguised the pretty
girlish face. \ short, scant dress, a
pair of cotton gloves, green cloak
and heavy shoes completed the cos
tune, while huge, blue umbrella
and reticule suggested the name Of
"Jerusha Perkins" az more aPproPri.
ate than any other.
Walter was in high spirits as they
walked along the street. He compli-
mented Mabel on her disguise, at the
| same time giving hints for the coming
interview.
By the time she reached the hotel
Manel's courage was dwindling ra?id-
ly. But she said nothing as she walk
ed up the head stairway 10 number
twenty. Walter whispered a few
words Of reinsurance as he stepped
aside, and with trembling hand she
knocked at the door.
\ brisk. high-keyed voice answered. :
Come inr
Mabel entered and glanced hastily
at the occupant of the room. Instead
of the prim damsel she expected to
see, quite an old looking lady, whose
dress was almost the exact counter
part Of Mabels own, arose to meet her.
Even the umbrella was not wanting,
and as the figure was remarkably tall,
and came forward with this formida-
bic weapon, Mabel was inclined to
beat a hasty retreat.
The nice little speech she had pre-
pared fled from her memory. She
stood silent and motionless; but the
same curiously pitched voice inquir.
ed
Can I do anything for you madam?
II came to see Miss Annie Laurie,
, stammered Mabel.
You came to see Annie Laurie
There was an accent of surprise III
the voice now that changed its inton'
alton, and the thought dawned or
poor Mabers mind that she was stand
ing face to face with a man
Any doubts she might have had